Nair or Nayar (Malayalam: നായ൪) is the name of an upper Hindu caste in the Southern Indian state of Kerala. Nairs are an integral part of Kerala's culture and have a long and illustrious history. Nairs are a warrior class (a martial nobility). In this regard, they are similar to the samurai of Japan. The word Nair is either derived from the Sanskrit word Nayaka (leader) or Naga (snakes, which the Nairs worshipped). The Nair class name also encompasses Menon, Panicker, ...

Including:

• Nair - Origins and History
• Nair - Some Nair Customs and Traditions
• Nair - Nairs Today
• Nair - Famous Nairs
• Nair - Nair Website

Read more here: » Nair: Encyclopedia - Nair

Nairs have customs that are different from the rest of Kerala. The first of these is the Marumakkathaayam system of inheritance. This system is a matrilineal system of inheritance. It is exceptional in the sense that it was one of the few traditional systems that gave women liberty, and right to property. Under this system, women enjoyed respect, prestige and power. An exception is the community of Mannadiars of Palakkad, because they follow patrilineal system. Some historians believe that the Marumakkathaayam system started after the Chera-Chola wars during the second Chera empir ...

See also:

Nair, Nair - Origins and History, Nair - Some Nair Customs and Traditions, Nair - Nairs Today, Nair - Famous Nairs, Nair - Nair Website

Read more here: » Nair: Encyclopedia II - Nair - Some Nair Customs and Traditions

According to Chattambi Swamigal, who interpreted ancient Tamil texts, Nairs were a Dravidian nobility called the "Naka Lords". Ancient South Indian history refers to the Nairs as a martial nobility, eminent historians, and foreign travelers. One theory is that Nairs are the descendants of the Newars of Nepal, who migrated to Kerala. There are two major facts to support this view. The first is the lighter complexion, and sharper features of Nairs. The second is the distinct pagoda-like architectural style of ...

See also:

Nair, Nair - Origins and History, Nair - Some Nair Customs and Traditions, Nair - Nairs Today, Nair - Famous Nairs, Nair - Nair Website

Read more here: » Nair: Encyclopedia II - Nair - Origins and History